Official blog of Gurcharan Das. He is the author of India Grows at Night: A Liberal Case for a Strong State (Penguin 2012);The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma (2009),India Unbound (2000),a novel,A Fine Family (1990),a book of essays The Elephant Paradigm (2002) & an anthology of plays,Three plays (2003). He writes a regular column for the Times of India and 5 Indian language papers and occasional pieces for the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Time magazine.

Sunday, September 09, 2012

The loss of inheritance

The approach of another festival season raises
the old question of the place of myth and classical culture in our contemporary
lives. This is not an idle question—it forces one to confront the difficult
problem of what it means to be fully and richly human. For millions of young Indians
who have risen in recent years and are now part of the confused, upwardly
mobile, post-reform internet generation, the question has a new urgency. With a
degree of prosperity has come the luxury of being able to face up to one’s
inheritance, even though the answer might be frightening.

Akhilesh Yadav, the
young chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, is typical of this generation. Unlike
his father, Akhilesh finds no votes in the old bashing of English and “angrezi
hatao andolans” especially when English medium schools are flourishing in the
poorest Muslim mohallas of U.P. Yes, young Indians are more relaxed about the
place of English in their lives, and gone is the earlier anxiety over “Indian-ness”
or the belief that one has to read and write in one’s mother bhasha to be
authentically Indian. Moreover, no one could have imagined the intellectual
ferment that would come with the flowering of Indian writing in English. Yet,
despite the new cosmopolitanism, Akhilesh and his generation cannot conceive of
exchanging it for a riotous celebration of Dusehra, Diwali, and Ramzan, even though
the significance of the festivals has receded from their consciousness.

What will shock Akhilesh
Yadav and his friends in the political class is the sobering truth that an
Indian who seriously wants to study the classics of Sanskrit or ancient
regional languages will have to go abroad. “If Indian education and scholarship
continue along their current trajectory,” writes Sheldon Pollock, the brilliant
professor of Sanskrit at Columbia University, “the number of citizens capable
of reading and understanding the texts and documents of the classical era will
very soon approach a statistical zero. India is about to become the only major
world culture whose literary patrimony, and indeed history, are in the hands of
scholars outside the country.”

This is extraordinary in a country with dozens of
Sanskrit departments in all major Indian universities, along with network of maths,
pathshalas,
and vidyapeeths. The ugly
truth is that the quality of teaching in these institutions is so poor that not
a single graduate is able to think seriously about the past and critically examine
ancient texts. They are parrots who can only repeat words without converting them
into true knowledge. Politically motivated appointments have also ruined
the few centres of excellence that once existed at Pune University, Deccan
College, and the Banaras Hindu University. Fifty years ago, India had great
scholars like P.V. Kane, V.S. Sukhthankar, S.N. Dasgupta, S. Radhakrishnan and
many more. The tradition of pandit learning is also disappearing. Where is
India’s soft power when there are fewer and fewer Indians capable of
interrogating the texts of Kalidasa or the edicts of Ashoka?

The gift of economic growth is that for the first
time parents are beginning to be freed from earlier middle class insecurities
and their children are beginning to take risks in the pursuit of unusual careers.
One of these is driven by a natural curiosity about one’s past. The proud discipline
of making sense of ancient texts is called philology which is practically dead
in India. But as academic salaries have improved in recent years, it is
increasingly possible once again to make a scholarly career. No one, however, will
be able to study in India unless our institutions improve. Akhilesh Yadav and
leaders in other states have in their power to stop the rot and reform our third
rate institutions so that young Indians can one day help to recover our historical
memory.

To
be worthy of being Indian does not mean to stop speaking in English. It means to
be able to have an organic connection with our many rich linguistic pasts. To
be truly ‘whole’ is to realize that mythical themes are universal and portray
eternal truths of mankind, and can help us to cope with life at different
stages. What separates man from beast is memory and if we lose historical
memory then we surrender it to those who those who will abuse it.

44 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Dear Sir:

I do believe that when it comes to put the good thoughts into the words that has far reaching audience, I can only think of you. You are aware of the current unstability that the world is witnessing over the anti-islam movie. I would like to share my thoughts with you on this issue and request you to write a good article on this issue. i am sure your article will make way for peace to many people.

My thoughts are shared below.

20th century is witnessing an incredible hostility due to the action of half-learned people. We are still surviving due to the existence of illitereate population (constitute the majority in Asia and they are very humble because of their village living, at times they are also exploited by the hal-learned people coming from cities/political-parties/religious-seminaries) and a few fully learned people who are the great leaders of the 20th century, they can be seen in all walk of life, not merely restricted to the political wing.

We need good leaders, more people with good knowledge. Makers of anti islam films are incredibly bad people. They really represent the dark ages. They create dangerous hostility in the world by their wrong deeds and this is becoming reality due to the absence of good leaders. Those who create mindless violence as responce to the action of makers of anti islam film are mostly half learned and those who indulge in violence are very few in numbers, believe me they would constitute probably 1% of the whole muslim population and majority of this 1% can also be controlled and can be persuaded to be on the path of peace by the leaders through their reponsible speeches and much needed guidence. At this point. the leaders have the excellent opportunity to prove to the world that how badly the makers of anti islam movie are wrong through their able leadership. At this time why no leader is appealing to all the muslims from all over the world to help the families of the 300 people who died in pakistan due to the fire in a garment factory. The record help, I am sure that will be generated, will certainly be appreciated all over the world.

India is now in need of a true leader who can help India to progress in the right direction. It is very much true that the Youths of India are more into materialistic world. The feeling of Nationalism has been lost. You are right that to be an Indian you need not stop speaking English rather one should be connected with the rich culture, literature and traditions of India.

Hi I am one of the best detectives and investigators in Mumbai. Yeah one of those rare female breeds in the Indian private investigation scene! I totally agree with you Gurcharan. It is a crying shame that we as Indians do not place any importance on the riches of our own culture and the fact remains that the greatest Indologists are to be found outside our shores!

The filthiest people on earth have started multiplying themselves at a startling pace. The rest of us should move to other planets before it is too late.

These barely-humans wallow in dirt, swallow dirt, eat dirt, piss dirt and incessantly talk on the cell phone. Some Americanized-apes among them keep driving through a cacophony of cows, birds, Mazdas, donkeys, dogs, dog-like humans, sewer-water-rivers, etc. and keep telling each other to 'be proud of being Indian'. The human history has never witnessed such colossal collective filth and such colossal collective ignorance, assembled with such haughty collective arrogance.

Beggars continue begging endlessly on endless streets but the apes roll car windows, pretend India has become another USA, and drive on.

A dumbo who does not even know when not to smile is their 'prime' minister. Another dumbo whose only asset is her female-ness calls herself 'president' . Another comedian incessantly talks of ‘growth rate’ while remaining totally blind to zillions starving in full public view.

India is the biggest hallucinating experience on earth. What you thought existed only in tales about hell is actually real here.

Congratulations folks, you have achieved what even God assigned zero probability to.

SOLUTION: Nuke the entire country thrice over. Then wait a couple of thousand years to allow the stench to evaporate. Then, slowly allow settlers to come back in, but be very careful this around and keep the dwarfs out. Thanks in advance for doing so!

Dear Sir: I do believe that when it comes to put the good thoughts into the words that has far reaching audience, I can only think of you. You are aware of the current unstability that the world is witnessing over the anti-islam movie. I would like to share my thoughts with you on this issue and request you to write a good article on this issue. i am sure your article will make way for peace to many people. My thoughts are shared below. 20th century is witnessing an incredible hostility due to the action of half-learned people. We are still surviving due to the existence of illitereate population (constitute the majority in Asia and they are very humble because of their village living, at times they are also exploited by the hal-learned people coming from cities/political-parties/religious-seminaries) and a few fully learned people who are the great leaders of the 20th century, they can be seen in all walk of life, not merely restricted to the political wing. We need good leaders, more people with good knowledge. Makers of anti islam films are incredibly bad people. They really represent the dark ages. They create dangerous hostility in the world by their wrong deeds and this is becoming reality due to the absence of good leaders. Those who create mindless violence as responce to the action of makers of anti islam film are mostly half learned and those who indulge in violence are very few in numbers, believe me they would constitute probably 1% of the whole muslim population and majority of this 1% can also be controlled and can be persuaded to be on the path of peace by the leaders through their reponsible speeches and much needed guidence. At this point. the leaders have the excellent opportunity to prove to the world that how badly the makers of anti islam movie are wrong through their able leadership. At this time why no leader is appealing to all the muslims from all over the world to help the families of the 300 people who died in pakistan due to the fire in a garment factory. The record help, I am sure that will be generated, will certainly be appreciated all over the world.

Time has come when the history will repeat itself and the collective human consciousness will move to Satyug. I own to do this paradigm shift and will make Bharat a "Sone Ki Chidiya" and "Vishwaguru" again. Those who want to join me in this endeavour can read my following article and join me on any of the co-ordinates mentioned on "Join the mission" link.

We are already in a state of change; dynastic rule will going to crumble; if India will become a Sone Ki Chidya is debatable.This needs a complete change of attitude by the entire population of India; move away from the Slave Mentality Mind Set.

I'm really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one today.Here is my homepage ... www.cheapnfljerseys-outlets.com

Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you really know what you're talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also visit my site =). We could have a link change arrangement between usAlso visit my page : cheap nfl jerseys

After we glance at the concise explaination your message really like, not just in regards to a captivating partnership having an additional, nevertheless for a emotion that is definitely engendered when you've got miltchmonkey a better association on your own also : or even just like a a sense of bigger oneness household or simply human beings * then it gets a lot more extraordinary that each any one is looking to get in your everyday living is certainly really enjoy.

[p]What's more, you also can select any colors from pink, black, lamination color and dim color according for that hobbies and styles . " Dr . A soft, pastel rose pattern graces the cotton-blend upper of this tall slip-on boot; pale pink sheepskin lining keeps your feet cozy inside . These boots look so barbaric and big . There is no cowhide acclimated during the process, for instance suede within the alfresco with affirmation within the inside . It does not matter whether you are on the market for a trendy pair to change your look [url=http://www.genuineuggbootsonlinesale.co.uk]genuine ugg boots online[/url] or a comfortable pair for a new baby . Sheepskin hair one snow boots of cost to far than cattle boots, causes is, to wanted to with soft of sheepskin made anti-hair of effect, technology quite complex, produced Shi has wool in of part placed in inside, Sheepskin part towards outside side, in whole produced process in the, Sheepskin and wool part are cannot has is damaged, otherwise made of shoes surface on not beautiful, therefore each system will out many not suitable of sheepskin, eventually qualified factory of 5139 Swell Tall [url=http://www.uggbootsoutletclearance.co.uk]ugg boots outlet sale[/url] Casual Ugg Boots Black of cost also on high has . Made of twin-faced sheepskin, the Men Classic has the [url=http://www.uggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]ugg australia boots[/url] same features as the women style . If you have [url=http://www.uggbootsforsaleonline.co.uk]ugg boots sale uk[/url] no idea, do not worry.[/p][p]Tasmina UGG Stiefel Boots, UGG Stiefel Geflecht wichtigsten edel, sehr kurze Ugg Boots, UGG kurzen Kanten von extremistischen Gruppen uggs Rede, ugg beste Bild, Whiteley UGG Gunstig, ugg billig hoch klassischen Metal . Some have chunky pumps and laces, while some are flat-heeled slip-ons . Inside I approached the stand [url=http://www.genuineuggaustraliasale.co.uk]ugg sale[/url] where a multitude of differently designed boots stood; yet all instantly recognizable as Uggs . Radio Controlled Helicopters- What are they? These are small toys with high technology [url=http://www.kidsuggbootsinuk.co.uk]kids ugg boots uk[/url] installed in them . The Bailey Button can either be worn up or cuffed down adding a bit variety as you please . Uggs may have come from modest beginnings, but these days, the fashionable boots can be spotted on everyone from college kids across the northeast to celebrities looking to give their feet a rest from six inch heels . It is one of the easeiest methods of shopping you can buy any item easily and conveniently . Make sure to shop quality pairs from a reputable seller so that you won't feel sorry about them.[/p]

[p]What's more, you also can select any colors from pink, black, lamination color and dim color according for that hobbies and styles . " Dr . A soft, pastel rose pattern graces the cotton-blend upper of this tall slip-on boot; pale pink sheepskin lining keeps your feet cozy inside . These boots look so barbaric and big . There is no cowhide acclimated during the process, for instance suede within the alfresco with affirmation within the inside . It does not matter whether you are on the market for a trendy pair to change your look [url=http://www.genuineuggbootsonlinesale.co.uk]genuine ugg boots online[/url] or a comfortable pair for a new baby . Sheepskin hair one snow boots of cost to far than cattle boots, causes is, to wanted to with soft of sheepskin made anti-hair of effect, technology quite complex, produced Shi has wool in of part placed in inside, Sheepskin part towards outside side, in whole produced process in the, Sheepskin and wool part are cannot has is damaged, otherwise made of shoes surface on not beautiful, therefore each system will out many not suitable of sheepskin, eventually qualified factory of 5139 Swell Tall [url=http://www.uggbootsoutletclearance.co.uk]ugg boots outlet sale[/url] Casual Ugg Boots Black of cost also on high has . Made of twin-faced sheepskin, the Men Classic has the [url=http://www.uggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]ugg australia boots[/url] same features as the women style . If you have [url=http://www.uggbootsforsaleonline.co.uk]ugg boots sale uk[/url] no idea, do not worry.[/p][p]Tasmina UGG Stiefel Boots, UGG Stiefel Geflecht wichtigsten edel, sehr kurze Ugg Boots, UGG kurzen Kanten von extremistischen Gruppen uggs Rede, ugg beste Bild, Whiteley UGG Gunstig, ugg billig hoch klassischen Metal . Some have chunky pumps and laces, while some are flat-heeled slip-ons . Inside I approached the stand [url=http://www.genuineuggaustraliasale.co.uk]ugg sale[/url] where a multitude of differently designed boots stood; yet all instantly recognizable as Uggs . Radio Controlled Helicopters- What are they? These are small toys with high technology [url=http://www.kidsuggbootsinuk.co.uk]kids ugg boots uk[/url] installed in them . The Bailey Button can either be worn up or cuffed down adding a bit variety as you please . Uggs may have come from modest beginnings, but these days, the fashionable boots can be spotted on everyone from college kids across the northeast to celebrities looking to give their feet a rest from six inch heels . It is one of the easeiest methods of shopping you can buy any item easily and conveniently . Make sure to shop quality pairs from a reputable seller so that you won't feel sorry about them.[/p]

[p]What's more, you also can select any colors from pink, black, lamination color and dim color according for that hobbies and styles . " Dr . A soft, pastel rose pattern graces the cotton-blend upper of this tall slip-on boot; pale pink sheepskin lining keeps your feet cozy inside . These boots look so barbaric and big . There is no cowhide acclimated during the process, for instance suede within the alfresco with affirmation within the inside . It does not matter whether you are on the market for a trendy pair to change your look [url=http://www.genuineuggbootsonlinesale.co.uk]genuine ugg boots online[/url] or a comfortable pair for a new baby . Sheepskin hair one snow boots of cost to far than cattle boots, causes is, to wanted to with soft of sheepskin made anti-hair of effect, technology quite complex, produced Shi has wool in of part placed in inside, Sheepskin part towards outside side, in whole produced process in the, Sheepskin and wool part are cannot has is damaged, otherwise made of shoes surface on not beautiful, therefore each system will out many not suitable of sheepskin, eventually qualified factory of 5139 Swell Tall [url=http://www.uggbootsoutletclearance.co.uk]ugg boots outlet sale[/url] Casual Ugg Boots Black of cost also on high has . Made of twin-faced sheepskin, the Men Classic has the [url=http://www.uggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]ugg australia boots[/url] same features as the women style . If you have [url=http://www.uggbootsforsaleonline.co.uk]ugg boots sale uk[/url] no idea, do not worry.[/p][p]Tasmina UGG Stiefel Boots, UGG Stiefel Geflecht wichtigsten edel, sehr kurze Ugg Boots, UGG kurzen Kanten von extremistischen Gruppen uggs Rede, ugg beste Bild, Whiteley UGG Gunstig, ugg billig hoch klassischen Metal . Some have chunky pumps and laces, while some are flat-heeled slip-ons . Inside I approached the stand [url=http://www.genuineuggaustraliasale.co.uk]ugg sale[/url] where a multitude of differently designed boots stood; yet all instantly recognizable as Uggs . Radio Controlled Helicopters- What are they? These are small toys with high technology [url=http://www.kidsuggbootsinuk.co.uk]kids ugg boots uk[/url] installed in them . The Bailey Button can either be worn up or cuffed down adding a bit variety as you please . Uggs may have come from modest beginnings, but these days, the fashionable boots can be spotted on everyone from college kids across the northeast to celebrities looking to give their feet a rest from six inch heels . It is one of the easeiest methods of shopping you can buy any item easily and conveniently . Make sure to shop quality pairs from a reputable seller so that you won't feel sorry about them.[/p]

Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://www.onlineroulette.gd]craps online[/url] speculation on 888 casino dispense: Facebook is expanding its efforts to the moment real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a prepare with the online gambling associates 888 Holdings.And Bye.

Howdy! This blog post couldn't be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will send this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!

This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost...HaHa!) Excellent job.I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.Too cool!

Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work.If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this,like you wrote the book in it or something.I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

Right here is the right blog for everyone who hopes to understand this topic.You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just great!

I am a private loan lender which have all take to be a genuine lender i give out the best loan to my client at a very convenient rate.The interest rate of this loan is 3%.i give out loan to public and private individuals.the maximum amount i give out in this loan is $1,000,000.00 USD why the minimum amount i give out is 5000.for more information contact us email finance2014911@gmail.com

I am a private loan lender which have all take to be a genuine lender i give out the best loan to my client at a very convenient rate.The interest rate of this loan is 3%.i give out loan to public and private individuals.the maximum amount i give out in this loan is $1,000,000.00 USD why the minimum amount i give out is 5000.for more information contact us email finance2014911@gmail.com

I am a private loan lender which have all take to be a genuine lender i give out the best loan to my client at a very convenient rate.The interest rate of this loan is 3%.i give out loan to public and private individuals.the maximum amount i give out in this loan is $1,000,000.00 USD why the minimum amount i give out is 5000.for more information contact us email finance2014911@gmail.com

About Me

Gurcharan Das has recently published a new book, India Grows at Night: A liberal case for a strong state (Penguin 2012). He is also general editor for a 15 volume series, The Story of Indian Business (Penguin) of which three volumes have already appeared.
He is the author of The Difficulty of Being Good: On the subtle art of dharma (Penguin 2009) which interrogates the epic, Mahabharata, in order to answer the question, ‘why be good?’ His international bestseller, India Unbound, is a narrative account of India from Independence to the global information age, and has been published in 17 languages and filmed by BBC. He writes regular column for several news papers and periodic guest columns for the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, and Newsweek. Gurcharan Das graduated with honors from Harvard University in Philosophy, Politics and Sanskrit. He later attended Harvard Business School. He was CEO of Procter & Gamble India and later Managing Director, Procter & Gamble Worldwide (Strategic Planning). In 1995, he took early retirement to become a full time writer.
Visit http://gurcharandas.org for his complete work and profile.